CRICKET: Struggling Chard sink to bottom after Bridgwater beating

CRICKET: Chard bottom of West of England Somerset Division after Bridgwater defeat

By
Richard Browne

BEATEN: North Perrott bowler Joshua Marshall-James took 2-20 but could not prevent the hosts losing their first match of the season in the league on Saturday, Minehead winning by 64 runs. Pic: Steve Richardson

NORTH Perrott were knocked off the top of the WEPL Somerset Division as they suffered their first league defeat of the season to Minehead.

The visitors moved six points clear of new basement side Chard, while Perrott surrendered first place to Weston-super-Mare.

Hosts Perrott won the toss and put Minehead in to bat, which looked to have paid dividends when bowlers Joshua Marshall-James and Tommy Stewart dismissed Ian Buchanan (4) and Andrew Stevens (4), respectively, to leave the away side 11-2.

However, Liam Muggeridge replied with interest, hitting 13 fours on his way to a match-winning 76.

Aided by Alastair Harrison (23) and Dan Bowditch (10), he dragged Minehead up to 142, where he finally fell (caught by Troy Johnson off Alex Eckland).

Eckland ended with four wickets to his name, but Charlie Tudball (11) and Jay Darrell (18no) added precious late runs to take their side up to 192-9 from their allotted 50 overs.

Eckland took 4-51 off 10 overs for Perrott, Marshall-James chipping in with 2-20 off 10 and Jake Symes 2-44 off eight and Tommy Stewart 1-16 off seven.

Unfortunately for the hosts, Eckland was not in such fine fettle with the bat, caught behind off the bowling of Darrell for two.

The rest of the top order followed soon after, as Darrell and Harry Tudball saw off George Retter (10), Troy Johnson (4) and captain Jake Symes (0) to leave Perrott 24-4.

Thankfully the middle order were more resilient, as Nick Taylor (45, with six 4s), Craig Jones (14) and Johnny Ireland (22no) took the home side up to 98.

But at that point they lost Taylor and Marshall-James (0) to the bowling of Buchanan, and at 98-7 they were on the brink.

Ireland kept battling, but he was running out of partners, as Muggeridge picked up the wickets of Jamie England (2) and Stewart (5) to add to his impressive day’s work.

And Buchanan returned to remove Max Dicker for one (caught Muggeridge) and end the Perrott innings at 128 off 37.2 overs.

Buchanan was the pick of the visiting attack, with 3-14 off 5.2 overs, while Darrell took 3-19 (off eight) and Muggeridge 2-17 (off four).

The home side collected five points from the match to Minehead’s 18, and the result saw them fall 10 points behind title rivals Weston – who hammered North Petherton by 141 runs on Saturday, with Somerset players Ryan Davies (115) and Peter Trego (5-32) to the fore.

Perrott will hope to bounce back this Saturday, as they host Wembdon (12.30pm start) – their opponents are third in the table, 14 points behind their hosts.

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NEXT week also sees North Perrott play host to a T20 match between Dorset and Somerset County Cricket Clubs on Tuesday, July 11.

The game serves as a practice match for Somerset’s involvement in the main Natwest T20 Blast competition, and they are expected to bring a strong side to the encounter.

Admission to the ground costs £10 for adults, with Under-16s accompanied by an adult go free, OAPs and students £5, and Dorset and Somerset members free.

Tickets are available from North Perrott CC, Dorset CCC’s website or at the gate on the day.

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